Leg rest control arrangement for multiple-position reclining chair



Oct. 9, 1962 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,057,

LEG REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. l.

1962 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,057,632

LEG REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

IN V EN TOR.

F'EIDTJOF F SCI-ILIEPHACKEZ AT TORNEY:

Oct. 9, 1962 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,057,632

LEG REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FRIDTJOF F- SCHLI EPHACKE.

AT TOlN IY6 1962 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,057,632

LEG REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION I RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. '7.

ATTORNEYS INVEN TOR.

Unite States Patent Q 3,057,632 LEG REST CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR MUL- TlPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Fridtiof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz Filed Aug. 11, 1959, Ser. No. 832,972 Claims. (Cl. 29788) The present invention relates to improvements in re clining chairs of the multiple position type, and in particular relates to a reclining chair which includes a rigid seat and back-rest unit mounted for movement to two distinct tilted positions.

In reclining chairs of the so-called two position type, the body-supporting unit, in the nature of a seat and back-rest formed rigidly with each other, is mounted on a support frame for rearward tilting movement. A legrest is also mounted for movement in response to the tilting movement of the body-supporting unit, the legrest being movable from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended position forwardly of the seat. The distinctive feature of two-position reclining chairs resides in the ability of the chair to be brought to two distinct tilted positions, in each of which the leg-rest is moved to an extended position for supporting the occupants legs. The first of such distinct positions is a slightly-tilted active position with the occupants body in a substantially upright attitude suitable for viewing television, talking, reading or the like. In such position (hereinafter designated as an intermediate tilted position) the leg-rest has already moved to an extended position for supporting the occupants legs. The bodysupporting unit can then, when desired, be tilted further to an inactive position (hereinafter referred to as a fullytilted position) in which the occupants body is disposed in a more supine or recumbent position of relaxation. In this fully-tilted position, the leg-rest is still extended in a leg-supporting position.

A problem in the construction of two position chairs of this type is encountered in providing means for moving the leg-rest to a leg-supporting extended position during the initial phase of motion of the body-supporting unit from the upright sitting position to the intermediate tilted position, and then maintaining the leg-rest in the legsupporting position while the body-supporting unit moves further to a fully-tilted position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide legrest actuating means for advancing the leg-rest rapidly to an extended leg-supporting position when the bodysupporting unit is moved to the intermediate tilted position and for maintaining the leg-rest in its extended position with no further relative movement between the seat and leg-rest when the body-supporting unit is then advanced to its fully-tilted position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of legrest actuating means of the character described which is simple in construction and operation with a minimum of movable parts, so as to be economical in manufacture.

In accordance with the invention there is provided in a reclining chair having a support frame and a bodysupporting unit, a carrier member pivotally mounted on the support frame and carrying the body-supporting unit for movement of the latter from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position, the carrier member being then movable on the support frame and carrying the body-supporting unit from the intermediate tilted position to an extended position. A leg-rest is pivotally mounted on the carrier member and is connected to a movable part of the chair, for example the body-supporting unit, for movement of the leg-rest to an extended legsupporting position when the body-supporting unit is tilted relative to the carrier member.

3,057,632 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating one form of leg-rest actuating means made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in an upright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in its intermediate tilted position with the leg-rest extended in its leg-supporting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in its fully-tilted position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a modified type of leg-rest actuating means made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

PEG. 5 is a side elevational View of the chair shown in FIG. 4, with the chair shown in its intermediate tilted position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating another modified type of leg-rest actuating means in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position; a

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a reclining chair having still another modification of leg-rest actuating means incorporating the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair in its upright sitting position and incorporating a further modified type of leg-reset actuating means made in accordance with the invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, the reclining chair shown therein comprises a base or support frame designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and having spaced side walls 12 inter-connected by cross bars or braces 14 and 16. The chair also includes a body-supporting unit, designated by the reference numeral 18, and comprising a seat 20 and a back-rest 22 formed rigidly with each other. The body-supporting unit 18 is movably mounted on the support frame 10 for movement relative thereto from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the active intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, and then to an inactive fully-tilted position shown in FIG. 3. The mounting of the body-supporting unit 18 on the support frame 10 is accomplished by a pair of guide links 24 and 26.

The chair also includes a carrier member or support bar designated generally by the reference numeral 30 which is formed with a rear leg 32 and an upwardly-extending front leg 34. At its rear end, the rear leg 32 is mounted by pivot 36 on the support frame 10. The pair of guide links 24 and 26 are pivotally connected at spaced points on the seat 20 by respective pivots 38 and 40, and at their lower ends are mounted at spaced points on the rear leg 32 of the carrier member 30 by respective pivots 42 and 44.

The chair also includes a leg-rest 46 which is mounted by pivot 48 on the free end of the front leg 34 of the carrier member 34), and is connected by pivot 50 to the forward end of the seat 20. The pivotal mount of the leg-rest 46 on the front leg 34 of the carrier member 30 is in the nature of a pin-and-slot connection, the pin 4-8 extending through an elongated slot 49 carried by the leg-rest 46. During movement of the leg-rest from its retracted to its extended position, the pin and slot 48, 49 provides a degree of lost motion which prevents the movement of the leg-rest from being blocked because of the difference in paths of movement for the pivot 50 provided by the pivot 48 and the guide links 24, 26. The seat pivot 50, in the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, is located above and forwardly of the pivot 48.

In the upright sitting position of the chair, shown in FIG. 1 the carrier member 30 rests upon the front cross bar 14 to provide a rigid support for the body-supporting unit 18. The guide links 24 and 26 are in an upright position and slightly forwardly inclined, and the leg-rest 46 is in a retracted position extending downwardly beneath the forward end of the seat 20.

When the occupant of the chair exerts rearward pressure against the back-rest 22, the guide links 24 and 26 turn rearwardly about the pivotal mounts 42 and 44 on the carrier member 30 to bring the body-supporting unit 18 to its intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2. In this connection, it will be noted that the front guide link 24 is longer than the rear guide link 26, so that the front guide link raises the forward portion of the seat 20 while the rear guide link 26 lowers the rear portion of said seat. The body-supporting unit 18 is therefore moved rearwardly and simultaneously tilted.

The intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 is determined by the engagement of the rear guide link 26 with a stop plate 52 on the rear end portion of the carrier member rear leg 32, the stop plate 52 preventing further turning movement of the guide links 24 and 26 relative to the carrier member 30. Thus, in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the body-supporting unit 18 is rigidly coupled to the carrier member 30.

As the forward end portion of the seat 26 moves upwardly and rearwardly, it carries with it the pivotal connection 50 of the leg-rest 46. The pivot 59 thus moves into vertical alignment with and then rearwardly past the pivotal mount 48 of the leg-rest on the carrier member 30, and the front leg 34 of the immovable carrier member 30 restrains rearward movement of the leg-rest at point 48. The leg-rest 46, therefore, turns around the pivot 48 which moves within the slot 49, and the leg-rest is raised to its extended position of FIG. 2 wherein it is positioned to support the legs of the chair occupant.

It will be observed that in the active or intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 the body-supporting unit 18 is only slightly tilted and the occupant body is supported in a substantially upright attitude suitable for reading, viewing television, or the like. At the same time the legrest 46 is fully extended and properly positioned to support the outstretched legs of the occupant.

If the occupant of the chair in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 wishes to assume a more reclined position for greater relaxation, he need only apply further rearward pressure against the back-rest 22, to bring the body-supporting unit to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 3. The rearward shift of the occupants weight changes the center of gravity of the body-supporting unit and causes the carrier member 30 to turn in a clock-wise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, about the pivotal mount 36. The forward end of the carrier member 30 is therefore raised relative to the support frame It and since the body-supporting unit 18 is now rigidly coupled to the carrier member 30, said body-supporting unit is tilted further rearwardly about the fixed pivot 36 to the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 3. This position is determined and limited by engagement of the rear portion of the seat 20 with the rear cross bar 16.

Since the body-supporting unit 18 is rigidly coupled with the carrier member 30 by engagement of the rear guide link 26 with the stop plate 52, there is no relative movement of the body-supporting unit and carrier member during this second phase of movement from the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 3. The leg-rest is therefore maintained in the extended position when the body-supporting unit arrives at the fully-tilted position.

To return from the fully-tilted position to the intermediate tilted position, it is only necessary for the occupant to shift his weight forwardly, thereby moving forward the center of gravity of the body-supporting unit and causing the latter to turn forwardly about the pivot 36 until it again reaches the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2. To return from the intermediate tilted position to the upright sitting position, the occupant need merely apply downward pressure on the leg-rest 46, this pressure causing the body-supporting unit 18 to move forwardly on the guide links 24 and 26.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a reclining chair incorporating a modified type of leg-rest actuating means made in accordance with the invention. Similar parts are given like reference numerals, except in this instance the numerals are part of a series. The reclining chair illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 again comprises a base or support frame designated generally by the reference numeral 110, which includes spaced side walls 112 interconnected by cross bars or braces 114 and 116. The chair again includes a body-supporting unit, designated generally by the reference numeral 118, and comprising a seat and a back-rest 122 formed rigidly with each other. The body-supporting unit 113 is movably mounted by a pair of guide links 124 and 126 on the rear leg 132 of the carrier member 130 for movement relative thereto from the upright sitting position of FIG. 4 to the active intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, and then to an inactive fully-tilted position, not shown herein but previously described in connection with FIG. 3.

The chair also includes a carrier member or support bar, designated generally by the reference numeral 130, which has a rear leg 132 and an upwardly-extending front leg 134. At its rear end, the rear leg 132 is mounted by pivot 136 on the support frame 110. The pair of guide links 124 and 126 are pivotally connected at spaced points on the seat 120 by respective pivots 13S and 140, and at their lower ends are mounted at spaced points on the rear leg 132 of the carrier member 130 by respective pivots 142 and 144.

The chair also includes a leg-rest 146 carried by a bar 154 which is mounted by pivot 148 on the free end of the front leg 134 of the carrier member 130. The bar 154 has a terminal portion 154a extending above the pivotal mount 143 and connected by pivot 156 to the forward end of a control link 15%. The pivot 156, in the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, is located above and forwardly of the pivot 148. The rear end of the control link 158 is connected by pivot 160 to an intermediate point on the rear guide link 126 between the pivots and 144.

In the upright sitting position of the chair, shown in FIG. 4, the carrier member 130 rests upon the front crossbar 114 to provide a rigid support for the body-supporting unit 118. The guide links 124 and 126 are in an upright position and are slightly forwardly inclined while the leg-rest 146 is in a retracted position extending downwardly beneath the forward end of the seat 120.

When the occupant of the chair exerts rearward pressure against the back-rest 122, the guide links 124 and 126 turn rearwardly about the pivotal mounts 142 and 144 on the carrier member 130 to bring the body-supporting unit 118 to its intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5. Since the front guide link 124 is longer than the rear guide link 126 the front guide link raises the forward portion of the seat 120 while the rear guide link 126 pivots rearwardly and downwardly to lower the rear portion of said seat.

The intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5 is determined by the engagement of the rear guide link 126 with a stop plate 152 on the rear end portion of the carrier member rear leg 132, so that in the intermediate tilted position the body-supporting unit 118 is rigidly coupled to the carrier member 130.

As the body-supporting unit 118 is moved rearwardly to its intermediate tilted position, the rear guiding link 126 turns rearwardly about its pivot 144 on the carrier member 130, thereby drawing the control link 158 rearwardly so that the latter pulls the leg-rest bar extension 154a in a rearward direction and causes the bar 154 to turn about the fixed pivot 148, thereby raising the leg rest 146 to its extended leg-supporting position of FIG. 5.

In the active or intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, the body-supporting unit 118 is only slightly tilted and the occupants body is supported in a substantially upright attitude suitable for reading, viewing television, or the like. At the same time the leg-rest 146 is fully extended and properly positioned to support the outstretched legs of the occupant.

To bring the body-supporting unit 118 to a fully-tilted position, it is only necessary for the occupant to apply further rearward pressure against the back-rest 122. The rearward shift of the occupants weight changes the center of gravity of the body-supporting unit and causes the carrier member 130 to turn about the pivotal mount 136. The forward end of the carrier member 130 is therefore raised relative to the support frame 110, and since the body-supporting unit 118 is now rigidly coupled to the carrier member 130, said body-supporting unit is tilted further rearwardly about the fixed pivot 136 to a fully reclined position which is determined by engagement of the rear portion of the seat 120 with the rear cross bar 116. This fully-tilted position of the body-supporting unit 118 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, and is therefore not separately illustrated for this embodiment.

During movement of the unit 118 from the intermediate tilted position to the fully tilted position, the body-supporting unit 118 is rigidly coupled with the carrier member 130 by engagement of the rear guide link 126 with the stop plate 152, and there is thus no relative movement of the rear guide link and carrier member during this second phase of movement. The leg-rest is therefore maintained immovable in its extended position in the fully-tilted position of the body-supporting unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates a similar reclining chair incorporating a modification in the leg-rest actuating means wherein the control link is connected to an extension of the rear guide link. In other respects, the chair is constructed similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Like reference numerals are employed for similar parts, except that the numerals form part of a 200 series.

The chair shown in FIG. 6 comprises a body-supporting unit 218 including a rigid seat 220 and back-rest 222 and mounted on the carrier member 230 by front and rear guide links 224 and 226. The guide links 224 and 226 are connected to the spaced points on the seat 220 by respective pivots 238 and 240. and are mounted on the rear leg 232 of carrier member 230 by respective pivots 242 and 236. In this instance, the pivot 236 also mounts the carrier member 230 on the support frame 210. Thus, the rear guide link 226 and carrier member 230 are mounted on the same fixed pivot 236.

The leg-rest 246 is carried by a bar 254 which is mounted by pivot 248 on the front leg 234 of the carrier member 230. The bar 254 has a terminal portion 254A extending above the pivotal mount 248 and connected by pivot 256 to the forward end of control link 258.

The rear guide link 226 has an extension portion 226a projectig upwardly beyond the pivotal connection 240. The rear end of controllink 258 is connected by pivot 260 to this rear guide link extension 226a.

In the sitting position, shown in FIG. 6, the carrier member 232 rests upon the forward cross bar 214, so that it, in effect, acts as a fixed portion of the support frame and supports the seat 220 immovably. When the occupant leans rearwardly against the back-rest 222, the guide links 224, 226 turn on the stationary carrier member 230 to bring the unti 218 to its intermediate tilted position (corresponding to that shown in FIG. 5) in which the rear guide link 226 engages the stop plate 252 and is 6 held thereby from further rearward movement relative to the carrier member 230.

As the rear guide link 226 moves rearwardly in this first phase of motion toward the intermediate tilted position, its extension 226a draws the control link 258 rearwardly and turns the bar 254 about the pivot 248, thereby raising the leg-rest to its extended leg-supporting position.

Further rearward pressure on the back-rest 222 will then cause the body-supporting unit 218 to move to a fully tilted position corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3. In this second phase of motion, the seat 220, carrier member 230 and rear guide link 226 turn as a unit about the fixed pivot 236, and the leg-rest 246 is therefore maintained in its extended leg-supporting position. The fully-tilted position is determined by engagement of the rear lower portion of the seat 220 with the cross bar 216, as has been previously described.

It will thus be observed from a consideration of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-5 and FIG. 6, that the control link 258 may be connected to any portion of the rear guide link 226, including an intermediate point, shown in FIGS. 45 and an upper extension shown in FIG. 6. It will also be apparent that the rear end of the control link 258 can be mounted on the pivot 240 which connects the rear guide link 226 to the seat 229, so that it is connected to the rear guide link coaxially with the connection between said rear guide link and the seat.

The control link may also be connected to the front guide link, as shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, like reference numerals are used for similar parts, except in this instance the numerals are part of a 300 series.

The body-supporting unit 318, comprising a rigidlyformed seat 320 and back-rest 322 is mounted on the carrier member 330 by guide links 324 and 326. The guide links are connected to spaced points on the seat 328 by respective pivots 338 and 340, and are mounted on the rear leg 332 of the carrier member 330 by respective pivots 342 and 336. The carrier member 330 is also mounted on the support frame 310 by the pivot 336.

The leg-rest 346 is carried by a bar 354 which is mounted by pivot 348 on the forward leg 334 of the carrier member 330. The bar 354 has a terminal portion 354a extending above the pivot 348 and connected by pivot 356 to one end of control link 358. The other end of control link 358 is connected by pivot 338 to the front guide link 324. It will be understood that instead of being connected to the front guide link co axially with the pivotal connection of the latter to the seat, the control link may be connected to an intermediate point on the front guide link 324, in the manner shown in FIG. 4,. or may be connected to an extension of the front guide link 324, as suggested in FIG. 6.

In the sitting position of the body-supporting unit 318 shown in FIG. 7, the rear leg 332 of the carrier member 330 rests upon the cross bar 314 to support the unit 318 in this upright position. When the body-supporting unit is tilted rearwardly on the guide links 324 and 326 in the first motion phase, the front guide link 324 engages the stop plate 352, which in this instance is located at an intermediate portion of the carrier member 330 and immediately behind said front guide link 324. This engagement of the front guide link with the stop plate 352 rigidly couples the seat 320 with the carrier member 330 and determines the intermediate tilted position of the bodysupporting unit 318.

The rearward turning movement of the front guide link 324 about its pivotal mount 342 during this first phase of motion, draws the control link 358 rearwardly and causes the bar 354 to turn about pivot 348 and thereby raise the leg-rest 346 to its extended leg-supporting position.

In the second phase of motion, the carrier member 330 turns about the fixed pivot 336 to carry the bodysuppor-ting unit 318 to its fully-tilted position in which the rear end portion of the seat engages the rear cross-bar 316. During this second motion phase, there is no relative movement between the front guide link 324 and the carrier member 330, so that the leg-rest 346 is retained in its extended position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modification in the leg-rest actuation means, wherein the control link is connected directly to the seat instead of to one of the guide links as in the previous embodiments. In this view, like reference numerals are again employed for simila parts, except that the numerals are part of a 400 series.

The chair shown in FIG. 8 again includes a body-supporting unit 418 comprising a seat 420 and a back-rest 422 formed rigidly with each other, and mounted on the support frame 410 by a pair of guide links 424 and 426.

The chair also includes a carrier member 430 which is formed with a rear leg 432 and upwardly extending front leg 434. The rear leg 432 is mounted by pivot 436 on the support frame 410. The upper ends of guide links 424 and 426 are pivotally connected at spaced points on the seat 420 by respective pivots 438 and 440. The lower end of the front guide link is mounted on the rear leg 432 of the carrier member 430 by pivot 442, while the lower end of the rear guide link is mounted at a spaced point on the carrier member rear leg by the pivot 436 which also mounts the carrier member on the support frame.

The chair also includes a leg-rest 446 which is carried by a bar 454, the latter being mounted by pivot 448 on the free end of the front leg 434 of the carrier member 430. The bar 454 has a terminal extension 454a connected by pivot 456 to the forward end of control link 458. The rear end of control link 458 is connected by pivot 466 to the seat 420 adjacent the rear end portion thereof.

In the upright sitting position of the chair, shown in FIG. 8 the carrier member 430 rests upon the front cross 'bar 414 to provide a rigid support for the body-supporting unit 418. The guide links 424 and 426 are in an upright position and slightly forwardly inclined, and the leg-rest 446 is in a retracted position extending downwardly beneath the forward end of the seat 420.

When the occupant of the chair exerts reaiward pressure against the back-rest 422, the guide links 424 and 426 turn rearwardly about the pivotal mounts 442 and 436 on the carrier member 430 to bring the body-supporting unit 418 to its intermediate tilted position in which the rear guide link 426 engages a stop plate 452 on the rear end portion of the carrier member rear leg 432. Thus, in such intermediate tilted position the body-supporting unit 418 is rigidly coupled to the carrier member 430.

As the rear portion of the seat 420 moves rearwardly, it carries with it the pivotal connection 446 of the control link 458. The control lirk 458 is thus drawn rearwardly with the seat, causing the bar 454 to turn about the fixed pivot 448 and raise the leg-rest 446 to its extended legsupporting position.

When the body-supporting unit 418 is moved through the second motion phase to the fully-tilted position, the carrier member 430 turns about is fixed pivot 436, and the forward end of the carrier member 430 is raised relative to the support frame 410. Since the body-supporting unit 418 is now rigidly coupled to the carrier member 430, it is carried by said carrier member and is tilted further rearwardly about the fixed pivot 436 to the fully reclined position in which the rear-end portion of the seat 420 engages the rear cross bar 416.

During this second motion phase, the body-supporting unit 418 is rigidly coupled with the carrier member 430 by engagement of the rear guide-link 426 with the stop plate 452, and there is thus no relative movement between the body-supporting unit and the carrier member. The leg-rest 446 is therefore maintained in the extended position when the body-supporting unit arrives at the fullytilted position.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made in 8 such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-rest formed rigidly with each other, means mounting the body-supporting unit on said support frame for tilting movement through a first phase of motion to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, a rigid leg-rest structure, and means mounting the leg-rest structure for movement from a re tracted position beneath the seat to an extended leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat, said mounting means including a carrier member pivotally mounted on the support frame, and movable guide means including at least one guide member mounting the body-supporting unit on the carrier member, said guide member moving rearwardly on said carrier member during said first motion phase to move the body-supporting unit to its intermediate tilted position, the carrier member being then movable about its pivotal mount on the support frame to move the body-supporting unit to its fully-tilted position, said leg-rest mounting means comprising pivot means directly mounting an intermediate portion of the leg-rest structure on the carrier member and means connecting the adjacent end portion of the leg-rest structure to a movable portion of the chair other than the carrier member for turning movement of the lcg-rest about the stationary carrier member during the first motion phase.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting member including a seat and back-rest formed rigidly with each other, means mounting the body-supporting member on said support frame for tilting movement through a first phase of motion to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, a rigid leg-rest structure, and means mounting the leg-rest structure for movement from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting member in said first phase of motion, said mounting means including a carrier member pivotally mounted on the support frame, and a pair of guide members mounting the body-supporting unit for movement relative to the carrier member, each guide member being pivotally connected to said seat and at least the front guide member being pivotally mounted on the carrier member and moving rearwardly on said carrier member during said first motion phase to move the bodysupporting member to its intermediate tilted position, the carrier member being then movable about its pivotal mount on the support frame to move the body-supporting member to its fully-tilted position, said leg-rest mounting means comprising an extension of the carrier member extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom to the forward end of the seat, a pivot mounting an intermediate portion of the leg-rest structure directly on the carrier member extension, and means pivotally connecting the adjacent end of the leg-rest structure to one of said members other than the carrier member, whereby said one member moves said end of the legrest structure rearwardly relative to the stationary carrier member during the first motion phase to bring the leg-rest to its extended leg-supporting position, said one member moving with the carrier member during the second motion phase to maintain the leg-rest in its extended position.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting member including a seat and back-rest formed rigidly with each other, means mounting the bodysupporting member on said support frame for tilting movement through a first phase of motion to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, a rigid leg-rest structure, and means mounting the leg-rest structure for movement from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting member in said first phase of motion, said mounting means including a carrier member pivotally mounted on the support frame, and a pair of guide members mounting the body-supporting unit on the carrier member, each guide member being pivotally connected to said seat and being pivotally mounted on the carrier member and moving rearwardly on said carrier member during said first motion phase to move the body-supporting member to its intermediate tilted position, the carrier member being then movable about its pivotal mount on the support frame to move the body-supporting member to its fully-tilted position, said leg-rest mounting means comprising an extension of the carrier member extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom to the forward end of the seat, a pivot mounting a first portion of said leg-rest structure directly on the carrier member extension and connecting means pivotally coupling a second portion of said leg-rest structure to one of said members other than the carrier member, the first portion of said leg-rest structure being located below said second portion, and said connecting means moving rearwardly with said one member relative to said carrier member during said first motion phase, whereby to cause said leg-rest structure to turn about the pivotal mount of said first leg-rest structure portion on said carrier member extension, said connecting means being carried upwardly with the carrier member during the second motion phase to maintain the leg-rest in its extended position.

4. A reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said pivot mounts an intermediate portion of the leg-rest structure to said carrier member, and said connecting means comprises a pivot connecting an end portion of the legrest structure to the forward end of the seat.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-rest formed rigidly with each other, means mounting the bodysupporting unit on said support frame for tilting move ment through a first phase of motion to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase to a fully-tilted position, a leg-rest, and means mounting the leg-rest for movement from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat, said mounting means including a carrier member pivotally mounted at its rear end on the support frame, and a pair of guide links mounting the body-supporting unit on the carrier member, said guide links moving rear- Wardly on said carrier member during said first motion phase to move the body-supporting unit to its intermediate tilted position, the carrier member being then movable about its pivotal mount on the support frame to move the body-supporting unit to its fully-tilted position, said legrest mounting means comprising a bar rigidly carried by the leg-rest and extending therefrom, a pivot connecting an intermediate portion of said bar directly upon the forward end of said carrier member, and a control link connecting the free end portion of the bar to a movable portion of the chair other than the carrier member, said control link being moved rearwardly by said movable chair portion relative to the stationary carrier member during the first motion phase to bring the leg-rest to its extended position, the control link being raised with the carrier member during the second motion phase to maintain the leg-rest in its extended position.

6. A reclining chair according to claim 5 in which said control link connects said bar to one of said guide links.

7. A reclining chair according to claim 6 in which said control link is connected to an intermediate point on said one guide link.

8. A reclining chair according to claim 5 in which said pair of guide links comprise a front and rear guide link each pivotally mounted on the carrier member and each pivotally connected to the seat, one of said guide links having an extension projecting beyond its pivotal connection with the seat, the control link being pivotally connected to said extension.

9. A reclining chair according to claim 5 in which said pair of guide links comprise a front and rear guide link each pivotally mounted on the carrier member and each pivotally connected to the seat, said control link being pivotally connected to one of said guide links at a point coaxial with the point of connection of said one guide link with the seat.

10. A reclining chair according to claim 5 in which said control link is connected to the seat at a point spaced rearwardly from the pivotal mount of the leg-rest bar on the carrier member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,890,743 Schliephacke June 16, 1959 2,918,113 Lorenz Dec. 22, 1959 2,927,630 Sichelschmidt Mar. 8, 1960 2,940,509 Fletcher June 14, 1960 2,940,510 Schliephacke June 14, 1960 

